Implementation of Antibody Rapid Diagnostic Testing versus Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR Sample Pooling in the Screening of COVID-19: a Case of Different Testing Strategies in Africa
Tinashe K. Nyazika,
Rabelani Kaela,
Mathias Mugoni,
Kudakwashe Musomekwa,
Eric Kyei-Baafour,
Simbarashe Chiwanda,
Prichard T. Mapondera,
Tatenda S. Makawa,
Elliot M. Sithole,
George Mavunganidze,
Justen Manasa,
Kondwani C. Jambo,
Cuthbert Musarurwa
Affiliations
Tinashe K. Nyazika
Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
Rabelani Kaela
African Society of Laboratory Medicine, PHIA Lab Corps, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mathias Mugoni
Department of Microbiology, Optimum Health Medical Laboratories, Gaborone, Botswana
Kudakwashe Musomekwa
Aids Healthcare Foundation, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Eric Kyei-Baafour
Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Simbarashe Chiwanda
Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
Prichard T. Mapondera
African Society of Laboratory Medicine, PHIA Lab Corps, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tatenda S. Makawa
Department of Paraclinical Veterinary Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Studies, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
Elliot M. Sithole
Department of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of South Wales, Wales, United Kingdom
George Mavunganidze
Zimbabwe Association of Medical Laboratory and Clinical Scientists, Harare, Zimbabwe
Justen Manasa
Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
Kondwani C. Jambo
Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
Cuthbert Musarurwa
Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
ABSTRACT Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has wreaked havoc across the globe; although the number of cases in Africa remains lower than in other regions, it is on a gradual upward trajectory. To date, COVID-19 cases have been reported in 54 out of 55 African countries. However, due to limited severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) real-time reverse transcription-PCR (rRT-PCR) testing capacity and scarcity of testing reagents, it is probable that the total number of cases could far exceed published statistics. In this viewpoint, using Ghana, Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe as examples of countries that have implemented different testing strategies, we argue that the implementation of sample pooling for rRT-PCR over antibody rapid diagnostic testing could have a greater impact in assessing disease burden. Sample pooling offers huge advantages compared to single test rRT-PCR, as it reduces diagnostic costs, personnel time, burnout, and analytical run times. Africa is already strained in terms of testing resources for COVID-19; hence, cheaper alternative ways need to be implemented to conserve resources, maximize mass testing, and reduce transmission in the wider population.
